What is a good dog breed for Seniors to own?

J

Jan14

Member
My senior Chihuahua recently passed away. I love the breed but she wasn’t the best dog. Very hard to house train. Didn’t get along with the other animals. Very bossy. Looking for a small dog breed recommendation.
 

My vote goes to a Maltese. .... from my experience around the breed, they seem intelligent and quiet. Love their calmness for a small dog.
The ones I've met are perfect pets for Seniors, and they do well in apartments too.
 

Check with shelters, and breed specific rescues, also let your Vet know you're looking and what your needs are. Consider adopting an older one left at shelter because their owner went into nursng home or died and either no-one ine the family could/would take it or ther was no family to take it.

Such dogs usually are house broken socialized and spayed/neutered. Not always, several months after my daughter's 13 yr old Pekinese (a breed we recommend for their intelligence and loyalty) died we adopted such an older Pug/Shih Tzu mix that wasn't neutered from shelter. Other than having to get him neutered, he was a delight. And got on with our big doogs when we moved to the country.
 
I never had a toy poodle but knew someone who did. They are very smart, not a lot of shedding and friendly. I guess they take some grooming but I've always done that myself with other dogs I've had.
I would definitely train the dog to a litter box or some other type of pads because as we grow older it might not be that easy to take the dog out.
I found that out when I dislocated my knee and had to hobble to the porch to let the dog out. Luckily we had a fenced in yard.
 
Sliverfox said:
Do you want an adult dog?

We bought another Boston Terrier pup last year,, forgetting we aren't young any more.
Had been looking for an older Boston Terrier but couldn't find one.

I would start looking at local rescue shelters online to see what they have.
Last year it seemed all the shelters near us had large dogs.
Click to expand...
I’m seeing a lot of pit bulls. That’s too big for me. I was considering a Boston
 
feywon said:
Check with shelters, and breed specific rescues, also let your Vet know you're looking and what your needs are. Consider adopting an older one left at shelter because their owner went into nursng home or died and either no-one ine the family could/would take it or ther was no family to take it.

Such dogs usually are house broken socialized and spayed/neutered. Not always, several months after my daughter's 13 yr old Pekinese (a breed we recommend for their intelligence and loyalty) died we adopted such an older Pug/Shih Tzu mix that wasn't neutered from shelter. Other than having to get him neutered, he was a delight. And got on with our big doogs when we moved to the country.
Click to expand...
I love all breeds and love the concept of adopting. I am watching shelters as well. I worry about older dogs that might have issues.
 
Stay away from a Yorkies smart, spunky, feisty. And the barking will drive you nuts. They bark even when there's nothing or no one around. I think they're programmed to bark every 15 minutes come hell or high water. They don't shed much, their only redeeming quality.
 
JustinCase said:
Stay away from a Yorkies smart, spunky, feisty. And the barking will drive you nuts. They bark even when there's nothing or no one around. I think they're programmed to bark every 15 minutes come hell or high water. They don't shed much, their only redeeming quality.
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting me know!
 
Petsies Custom Stuffed Animals — A Life Changing Gift

"According to a study published in Current Gerontology and Geriatrics, two-thirds of all US households and close to half of elderly individuals own pets. But what happens when elderly family members, especially those with dementia and Alzheimer's, aren’t able to care for a real pet anymore? If they live in a nursing home or memory care facility, the likelihood of owning a real pet becomes increasingly rare."

"Even though dogs and cats might not be an option, seniors with dementia have been known to respond extremely well to realistic stuffed animals. They bring emotional comfort, which can improve their overall quality of life. Customized stuffed animals like the ones that Petsies are bringing to the market are a life-changing gift. It may seem like achild’s play but adults need stuffed animals too!"

stuffed-animals-for-alzheimer-patients.png

This adorable Petsies was created so a loved one could hug their pet again!
 
RadishRose said:
They are! They're adorable and affectionate. But like many engineered breeds they have health problems; heart, hip, obesity, eyes, etc.
https://spanielking.com/common-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-health-problems/
Click to expand...
My nephew absolutely loves the breed, he has just lost his last Cavalier to heart disease, they have a big issue with their hearts. He was on special medication and diet for a long time before he lost him. He is a puppy in this photo. My nephew has another young pup that he loves and is caring for very well, as his did his other dogs. They are such good companion dogs, very sweet and affectionate. I've only met them over the years at the off leash dog park, and they were always super calm and friendly....and cute.

full
 
Lara said:
Any dog mixed with poodle will probably be sweet, cuddly, and won't shed.
Click to expand...
I agree about the personality, but poodle mixes usually need regular grooming, although they don't shed, the hair grows quickly and needs routine trimming, also ear plucking. Mine is not small, he's a medium sized Labradoodle, but I've met so many very nice, quiet, calm and friendly poodle mixes that are small, including mini poodle and schnauzer mixes. I groom my own dog, but not everyone wants to do that.
 
Jan14 said:
My senior Chihuahua recently passed away. I love the breed but she wasn’t the best dog. Very hard to house train. Didn’t get along with the other animals. Very bossy. Looking for a small dog breed recommendation.
Click to expand...
Sorry for you loss, may she rest in peace. My neighbor had a Chihuahua who was nasty with people, he bit the owner numerous times, he soiled the house constantly, and always ran up to me in summer snarling and threatening to bite. Unfortunately his let him loose, even though he didn't behave.

After that dog passed, he adopted a Chihuahua mix from a shelter, who was not old, but was an adult. She was the sweetest thing, friendly and well house trained, a delight to be around. He passed away alone in his house one day, when his daughter discovered him, she didn't know what to immediately do with the dog, I took her for a couple of weeks until the grandmother wanted to take her. She got along well with my dogs, and was very affectionate with me and my husband.

Here she is looking out my front window with one of my Standard Schnauzers.

full
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top